Grizzled Skipper
(Pyrgus centaureae)

Very rare and local in the northern North Carolina mountains. After more than a decade of no reported sightings, this taxon was re-discovered on private property in NC in 2005 by Ted Wilcox in Ashe Co. Appalachian Grizzled Skippers are single brooded, flying from late March to early May.
Appalachian Grizzled Skipper, Appalachian Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae wyandot) Appalachian Grizzled Skipper, Appalachian Checkered-Skipper
(Pyrgus centaureae wyandot)
Ashe Co., NC
29 Apr 2007

Compared to other species of Pyrgus (checkered-skippers), this taxon has bolder checked fringes and fewer white marks in the wings. Note especially the lack of a row of white sub-marginal dots on the dorsal wing surfaces -- compare to Common Checkered-Skipper.


Appalachian Grizzled Skipper, Appalachian Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus wyandot, Pyrgus centaureae wyandot) Appalachian Grizzled Skipper, Appalachian Checkered-Skipper
(Pyrgus centaureae wyandot)
Ashe Co., NC
29 Apr 2007

Some authorities treat this taxon as a subspecies of the widespread Grizzled Skipper in northern and western North America. Regardless, this taxon is a Federal Species of Concern and is listed as Threatened to Endangered in at least seven different states.


Appalachian Grizzled Skipper, Appalachian Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus wyandot, Pyrgus centaureae wyandot) Appalachian Grizzled Skipper, Appalachian Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus wyandot, Pyrgus centaureae wyandot)
Appalachian Grizzled Skipper
(Pyrgus centaureae wyandot)
Ashe Co., NC
29 Apr 2007
Appalachian Grizzled Skipper
(Pyrgus centaureae wyandot)
Ashe Co., NC
29 Apr 2007

Appalachian Grizzled Skipper, Appalachian Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus wyandot, Pyrgus centaureae wyandot) Appalachian Grizzled Skipper, Appalachian Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus wyandot, Pyrgus centaureae wyandot)
Appalachian Grizzled Skipper
(Pyrgus centaureae wyandot)
Ashe Co., NC
29 Apr 2007
Appalachian Grizzled Skipper
(Pyrgus centaureae wyandot)
Ashe Co., NC
29 Apr 2007

Appalachian Grizzled Skipper, Appalachian Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus wyandot, Pyrgus centaureae wyandot) Ashe Co., NC
29 Apr 2007

Caterpillar host plants are reported to be various species of cinquefoil (Potentilla spp.), and Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), both of which were abundant in the sight where these photos were taken.


Below are Grizzled Skippers from Montana

Grizzled Skipper
(Pyrgus centaureae loki)
Carbon Co., MT
23 July 2023

Grizzled Skipper
(Pyrgus centaureae loki)
Park Co., WY
22 July 2023

Grizzled Skipper
(Pyrgus centaureae loki)
Park Co., WY
22 July 2023

Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae) Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae) Grizzled Skipper
(Pyrgus centaureae)
Red Mountain, Lewis & Clark Co., MT
15 July 2015



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Created on ... April 30, 2007 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com